A Month Before Euro 2020, Uncertainty Off the Pitch and On
Established 1961 15 Sports Tuesday, May 11, 2021 A month before Euro 2020, uncertainty off the pitch and on PARIS: Postponed last year because of the pandem- capacity, with the exception of Munich. The German wonder is how manager Gareth Southgate will ic, Euro 2020 finally kicks off in a month’s time when city aims to host at least 14,500 fans at the Allianz accommodate emerging superstars like Phil Foden Italy face Turkey in Rome but the health crisis con- Arena, but mayor Dieter Reiter said in April there and Mason Mount. With group games at Wembley, tinues to cast a shadow over a tournament being held had been “no promises, of any kind, to guarantee and the incentive of the semi-finals and final being for the first time at venues all across the continent. spectators”. In contrast, Budapest could allow a full played at home too, England may sense this is their UEFA’s focus this week is on the headache of house of 61,000 at the Puskas Arena, albeit with chance. what to do with the Champions League final amid “strict stadium entry requirements for spectators”. pressure from the UK government to move the all- Nevertheless, Euro 2020 will not quite be the France aim for double English showpiece from Istanbul to England. pan-continental party envisaged when, under for- Yet they can hardly ignore the multiple threats European football’s governing body has already mer president Michel Platini, UEFA announced the from elsewhere, not least the one directly across dealt with similar difficulties surrounding the Euro, format of Euro 2020 to mark the 60th anniversary the Channel.
[Show full text]